Ahok Jailed for 2 Years in Blasphemy Case

Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama will be jailed for two years following the Tuesday, May 9, verdict in the long-running blasphemy case which has gripped the city.

Prosecutors had previously called for a one year sentence with two years probation under Criminal Code no. 156, which punishes persons found to be spreading hatred or hostility against one more groups in Indonesia.

In the final verdict, Ahok, who is ethnically Chinese and a Christian, was found guilty of violating Criminal Code no. 156A, which targets religion.

“Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) was found legally guilty of violating criminal law of blasphemy,” Chief Judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto said during the verdict at the Agriculture Ministry Hall in Ragunan, South Jakarta.

The charges come following comments the governor made during a campaign event in the Thousand Islands late last year in response to a growing hardline Islamic movement to rid the city of him.

“It is possible to not vote for me because you are being manipulated (by people) using Al-Maidah:51 of The Qur’an. That’s your right. If ladies and gentlemen feel that they should not vote because of fear of going to hell, being manipulated like that, it’s okay”, Ahok said in October.